Be careful not to use too much soap, which may leave a film behind. Acidic cleaners like vinegar, Windex, and bleach should not come into contact with marble.
Windex contains ingredients that can permanently damage the granite. While the most common damage done by Windex is dulling the shine of the countertops, it can also cause pitting.
Non-abrasive cleansers are a must for this surface, which can be scratched and dulled easily from harsh substances. A non-scratch marble or stone cleaner works well, as does a mild, non-abrasive and non-acidic soap (gentle dish soap is fine) combined with water.
To restore the luster, keep it clean. For routine maintenance, Daniella Villamil of Daniella Villamil Interiors in Las Vegas says that the best products for cleaning marble countertops and backsplash are mild dish detergents or a pH-neutral stone cleaner.
Popular cleaners like bleach, ammonia, citrus, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are harsh on marble and will cause permanent damage. Using only a sponge with hot water for regular cleaning and a high-quality marble cleaner occasionally is enough to keep your marble countertop clean and beautiful.
For general cleaning:
A simple DIY cleaner can be made with 5 or 6 drops of mild dish soap such as Dawn Ultra or Seventh Generation Dish Liquid mixed with 1 liter of water. Avoid soaps that are advertised “anti-bacterial” or “industrial strength.” These often have ingredients that can harm marble.
Safe Marble Cleaning Solutions
Marble surfaces should be cleaned with soft cotton cloths and clean rag mops along with neutral cleaners, mild liquid dishwashing detergent mixed with water, or stone cleaners. If you want to go the easy route, try a commercially available stone cleaner.
Acidic cleaners like vinegar, Windex, and bleach should not come into contact with marble. Even a lemon wedge can begin to eat into marble within seconds. Many rust-removing solutions contain acid, so keep them away from marble as well.
Bleach, vinegar and cleaning products from household names like Clorox and Lysol can all cause irreparable damage to marble countertops. These cleaners, while potentially useful in stopping the spread of disease, can take the luster away from your stone surface and cause etching — a series of dull, permanent scars.
Can you use Windex or other cleaning products on marble? It's best to avoid Windex, because it's an acidic cleaner. Anything that contains acid, bleach or ammonia can damage marble.
Acidic Stains (Wine, Fruit Juice, Vinegar)
For fresh spills, immediately blot the liquid to prevent it from penetrating deeper into the marble. Wipe the area with a cloth dampened with a mixture of water and mild dish soap, followed by a rinse with clean water.
Baking soda (flour can be used as a substitute if needed) Hydrogen peroxide. Gentle, unscented liquid dish soap. Isopropyl alcohol (70%, or diluted from 99% to 70% with clean water)
Do Not Use On Granite or Marble. If you have soft surface countertops like granite or marble, step away from the magic eraser. You can use them on laminate, Corian, quartz, and other solid surface countertops, but do a spot check.
Luckily, everything you'll need to clean your hard surfaces can already be found in your home: Concentrated dish soap that's tough on stains and grease while staying gentle on stainless steel, granite, and glassware, like Dawn® Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray. Soft cloth and sponge.
A half teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to 2 cups of water, applied via spray bottle, is typically all it takes to care for granite slabs. Be especially careful of acidic, caustic cleaners to prevent the dulling of granite surfaces.
A mild dish soap is the handiest cleaner you have that is safe for granite. Alternatively, consider a commercial cleaner that's specifically formulated for granite. Many natural cleaning products are also safe for use on this surface, but read the label for confirmation before using them.
Soft Scrub Multi-Surface Gel cleans and polishes granite and marble countertops, glass cooktops, and stainless steel sinks and appliances. It's tough on stains, yet gentle on even the most delicate surfaces.
Therefore, be sure to leave your beloved Swiffer in the closet when cleaning all types of marble surfaces. This includes the Swiffer Wet-Jet, which has a pH balance of 10, making it alkaline. Marble requires a neutral pH-balanced product between six and eight.
Safe on all finished floors (Do not use on unfinished, oiled, or waxed wooden boards, non-sealed tiles, or carpeted floors because they may be water sensitive) (wood and laminate, marble, stone, ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum). Questions? 1-800-742-9220.
Shaving products, toothpaste, perfumes and mouthwash are harsh products that could damage marble if they're left to sit on marble too long. One of the best cleaning agents is a thick paste made of baking soda and water.
For general cleaning, you can use the following ingredients in your homemade marble cleaning solutions: Two cups of filtered water. One-fourth cup of rubbing alcohol. Three drops of dish soap.
Some people use different green products to polish the marble on their own. One of the most recommended green products for cleaning is baking soda. Baking soda can clean all hard stains to restore the shiny look of your marble with no damage.